"To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing."
(1 Peter 4:8-9)
This chapter and section reminded me of something I had pondered a month earlier.
Can you only receive blessings, and never curses?
I had wondered this because of a video that I saw, where a Christian man told an account of when he received a telephone call from a satanist. The satanist introduced himself and told the man that he was calling to curse him, and he proceeded to do so.
After the satanist was finished cursing him, the Chistian man spoke up and asked the satanist how long he had been practicing satanism. He replied, "Over twenty years." The Christian man continued and said, "Well you're not a very good one are you?" "What do you mean?" said the satanist, astonished Then the Christian said, "Well, you could have done better than that…I'm disappointed. But you have to know that the promise of God upon my life is, every curse of the enemy- God will turn into a blessing."
Whenever people curse you, do not give into their curses. It is not your inheritance, and in fact, it will not come to happen. You have been made righteous through Jesus' atonement on the cross, and our heavenly Dad calls you blessed. Attach yourself to the truth of God's voice over you. Ask Him to remind you if you need it, or go search for it yourself. Either way, it will be revealed.
I'll show some of it to you:
" Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord sustains the righteous. The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will be forever. They will not be ashamed in the time of evil, and in the days of famine they will have abundance."(Psalm 37:16-19)
When you attach yourself to the LORD's voice over you and choose to place that first in your mind when facing opposition, then you put to death the choice of listening to the condemning voice of the enemy, which is trying to make you believe in something you were delivered from:
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." (Romans 8:1)
So, now focusing on Christ, you see your reflection through His eyes.
It is your true self.
Now you can more easily bless the person. They haven't spoken anything over you that can harm you, and as God commands:
Give a blessing instead of returning evil for evil.
It heaps burning coals on their head and brings conviction from the Holy Spirit.
And as a result of doing this, you yourself receive a blessing as well.
"…for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing."
This blessing could be anything, but know that GOD will bless you for listening to Him and obeying Him. Keep His thoughts toward you in the forefront of your mind. He is you shield, your fortress, and to run to Him not only protects you, but others around you. Respond in the lovingkindness He gives when He responds. Remember His promises, and remember that curses are void within the Bride of Christ.
Here's the video I was speaking about:
